The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has destroyed substandard products, including counterfeit drugs and medical devices, worth N43 billion in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.
The exercise “Investigation and Enforcement, Lagos destruction of fake, expired, substandard and falsified drugs, medical devices and unwholesome regulated products”, was carried out the Moniya dump site in the Akinyele Local Government area of the state, on Thursday with representatives from security agencies and the Oyo State Government in attendance.
According to NAFDAC’s Director General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, who was represented by Pharm. Shabba Mohammed, Director of Investigation and Enforcement, the counterfeit products were voluntarily surrendered to the Agency by compliant companies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and trade unions.
Giving the breakdown of the seized counterfeited products, the Director General disclosed that several raids were carried out at various locations which led to the seizure of several unregistered and registered pharmaceutical products.
The confiscated products, according to her include aphrodisiacs, sex enhancement drugs, Over The Counter, (OTC), and Prescription Only Medicine, (POM) drugs.
READ ALSO: NAFDAC Alerts on Counterfeit Mabthera 500mg/50ml in Nigeria
The NAFDAC boss, however, stressed the importance of public involvement in combating counterfeit drugs and unwholesome food products. She urged citizens to report unlawful practices to the nearest NAFDAC office for immediate investigation.
“Over thirty different products were seized in total,” she noted, highlighting that the confiscated items included banned substances such as codeine and narcotics, with a total value exceeding N48 million.
“The agency has been actively gathering intelligence on illegal warehousing, sale, and distribution of narcotics by pharmaceutical vendors in Lagos and other states.”
“Recent raids conducted by the Investigation and Enforcement Directorate resulted in the confiscation of products worth over N700 million.
“In addition to counterfeit pharmaceuticals, the operation also targeted contraband items such as unregistered soaps, tomato paste, and counterfeit beverages.
“By taking these actions, NAFDAC aims to protect the health and safety of the public while promoting compliance within the pharmaceutical industry,” she stated
